Boating & health

Capt. Kermie · Jan 7, 2009

Don S/V ILLusion said:
If you need a mast furler, it's time to get a trawler... (this is a joke- I hope this does not offend anyone... except the trawler crowd)

I don't think it is a joke, I have recently begun looking at Trawlers on the internet because once I can no longer sail as easily I plan to switch over from my Sailboat to a Trawler just because I do not wish to give up boating. That, hopefully, is another 15-20 years from now.

John said:
I'd say I am stronger and in better shape now than I was when I was working (in construction). The main reason, along with the changed diet, is better exercise. In my own case, I practice a "non-violent" martial art (which I have more time to do now that I'm not working), and prior to class we do some yoga to warm up. I've never done yoga before but I find it is great for building both strength and flexibility. Obviously, this is important for sailors, and yoga can easily be practiced on any sailboat over 20 feet or so I would guess.

Well isn't that interesting... and to think I always thought Yoga was for females. Strength & flexibility are paramount to operating a sailboat. Perhaps I'll do some research on yoga, sounds like it has benefits.

Mike B · Jan 7, 2009

Ross, yes they are and I don't care for it, but one look in the mirror explains why it happens. Usually when they call me Mr Brown I tell them they must be refering to my father

Mike

Cpt. Jon · Jan 7, 2009

Ross said:
John , Just my observations here but many people I know with damaged knees and hips have carried excess body weight for many years, or are combat veterans, or have had employment that required many hours working in a kneeling position on floors or roofs. Knee pads are essential, controling body weight make great differences, some sports are very harmful to the knee joints. We are taught to lift with our knees to protect our backs but we are not told that our knees can also be overloaded and damaged. I don't like to work with men that are 60 pounds and 8 inches bigger than me because they want to set the load standards. Never work above you limits for prolonged periods.

I'm a army veteran that served in Iraq and my knees are shot. I attribute most of it to running in formation for so many years. I'm 5'6" and running at the stride of someone that is 6' or taller is not natural. When in Iraq, I was driving a Humvee just about everyday for several hours and I noticed later that my knees had gotten a lot worse even though I wasn't running much over there. I realized that it was probably my posture whiledriving the vehicle, kinda with my right knee bowed out as someone else mentioned. It keeps me from some things, mainly running though... I now have a pretty long commute and try to posture my legs better, but still have some bad habits. Things like this seem to get more exagerated as I get older :cry:. I guess that's life though.

Cheers

Jon

Hermit Scott · Jan 8, 2009

I had no idea the mean age on this site was so high. (That's a nice way of saying you guys are old!) That is pretty cool that you all are still sailing in your 70's and feel like you can keep doing it for more than a decade to come. I hope I am as well off if I make it to that age.
The reason I am so suprised with your ages is how sharp mentally you are. Most people don't have pictures of themselves on their profile so it's kind of like reading a book and imagining what the charachters look like by their dialog.
Who says yoga is just for females??? It's for guys too....guys that are sissys!
Just kidding I have a stretch and yoga regimine also.

BobM · Jan 8, 2009

My only concession to aging (42) is I happily exchanged my tiller for a wheel in my new boat. I wiped out a disk shoveling snow at 25 and sitting with my upper body rotated running a tiller for more than 2 hours was more than I could take. I went out for four hours once with friends and I thought they were going to have to hoist me off the boat! Got to get in better shape, but it is easier said than done. It's not like work give a darn about my health as long as I put in my 50 hours/week at my computer!

Ross · Jan 8, 2009

BobM, There are some very simple ways to help you get more physical. First, park at the far end of the lot everywhere and walk in. Always take the stairs and avoid the elevator. Use a walk behind lawn mower, not even self propelled. Get a smaller snow shovel. It will save your back and your heart. If you have room ,plant a small garden. Dig it by hand. A ten foot square garden will require you to turn a ton of soil over several times during the growning season and will produce all of the table greens and veggies you will need for the summer and if you plant a few flowers your wife will be pleased with some cut flowers for her table once in a while. But start small a three foot square is big enough for a start. A couple of tomatoes, a short row of radishes, some leaf lettuce, a little row of beets (the tops are nice in salad). Dig a little more when you find sprouted potatoes and plant the cut off chunks with the sprouts.

rpwillia · Jan 8, 2009

Best advice is from Ben Franklin to "do everything in moderation".

BTW, Are any of you planning on attending the Baltimore Boat show? It is January and there is nothing else going on. I am planning on going Saturday and having crab cakes at the G&M afterward.

Cpt. Jon · Jan 9, 2009

Ross, that is all good stuff. I always park further away, but usually because I find I get into my destination faster than the bozos circling the parking lot 10 times to find a better spot so they don't have to walk the extra 10 feet. My wife and I actually get a kick out of this... what a waste of time and fuel.

Looking forward to the garden again this year, last year was the first time for us and it was very rewarding.

and finally, what's a snow shovel? I grew up in Wisconsin and Michigan and can't even imagine living through the winters up there anymore... they've been getting pounded this year... seems miserable to me, though I have fond memories of sledding, skiing, ice skating, ice fishing, and getting out of school because of snow.

Ross · Jan 9, 2009

Cpt.Jon, I have seen people at the local athletic club circling in search of a close in parking space.
As soon as the ground can be worked you can plant potatoes. Lots of good gardening advise on the web.